A big ’shout out’ to my cousin Ralph in New York at the Waterfront Ale House. Sent me my own Desert Hot Sauce. Looooks good, in fact, I just tried it, wow, is it hot! Should be good on the eggs they serve over here.
Check out the high/low temperatures. Time to get the long underwear out!
An interesting article. Technology!
Well today, my cousin Mary (from Maine) gets put on the hot seat. I may not hear from her again, but it is a chance worth taking. (Sorry Mary, your responses were just too good not to post!) She took the time to respond to November 5th’s questions. Here we go.
1. Why doesn’t it snow in Kuwait? (scientifically speaking, I know because it is warm here)
It doesn’t snow in Kuwait because they don’t have snow plows.
2. Why is a knot used for wind measurement?
Take several strips of sheets. Tie one knot in the first, two knots in the second, three knots in the third, etc. When the wind blows, the sheet with the most knots that flies in the air gives the wind speed in knots.
3. Why doesn’t sand turn to mud when it rains? And how much rain would it take here to create a mud-like affect?
Sand doesn’t turn to mud because then you’d have to build mudcastles! If you want sand to turn to mud, cut open a super absorbent baby diaper and mix with sand. You’ll get mud, sort of.
4. Why is chemical dispersion included in the weather forecast? Is it important to know? And does it have any impact on the weather?
Chemical dispersion is included so you know whether to use an umbrella made of fabric or lead.
5. Why is there freezing fog? (Now I know Jim nailed this one and Heather added to it, but where did it come into play on the 5 day weather forecast?)
Freezing fog- this one stumps me.
6. Why do we represent chemical dispersion through arrows?
Attack mode?
7. Why is there still a need for DST? (Daylight Savings Time)
Old habits die hard!
8. Why have the leaves fallen in greater masses in Wisconsin this year? (not gradually like usual, but in one big wave)
They knew you weren’t there to enjoy them.
9. Why does wind play such an important factor in the weather? What would it be like if there was no wind?
You wouldn’t want those snow clouds to remain over Wisconsin all winter would you? Something has to move them out of the way. Besides, the deer need some way to detect the hunters. (It’s deer season in Maine right now. Orange vests mandatory even in the driveway.)
10. Where in the world is SSG William Yedinak?
Not where he wants to be.
Someone with my sense of humor. Awesome! (alright now, you all hold your comments! Especially you Marcia!)
Hope everyone is doing well!
A late night mission took me to Kuwait City International Airport, picking up a high ranking official. Nothing earth shattering about this, really, but I will tell you why it was significant for me. Was directed not to wear military clothes. That (after nearly a year) was a welcome directive. Got a chance to venture out to see the “real world”, something other than military. Ate a chicken calzone in the airport. By the way, the monetary unit over here is the dinar, which the going rate is approximately 1 kd for 4 US dollars. The price on the calzone, 2.85 kd. Everything is expensive. That makes it around 11 to 12 dollars. It was good though, so it eased my pain. Real food once again, I may have paid even more willingly. Arrived back around 0400, content, there still is a world out there! Oh, I had one of my friends snap a picture at the airport! No OPSEC rules here!
Me at KCIA
Just a couple of things to throw at you today.
1) I received this message from a person on FB.
“This wouldn’t happen to be Billy Yedinak that was stationed in 29 Palms CA around 1993-1994 would it?”
Ouch! Another person with the same name out there. My condolences!
2) Check out this article. Thought it was interesting, seeing that it has been a topic thrown around on the blog before. It was in the Stars and Stripes today.
Hope everyone is doing well! Where in the world is Billy Yedinak?
I don’t know where to begin this post today. Or how to go about putting it into words. My emotions are still running high, thanks to all of you yesterday. Let me begin this by saying I am a pretty modest, unassuming person; least I think I am. What does that have to do with anything? Well, throughout this entire deployment, starting with December 23rd (even all the days leading up to it), you all have been so kind, thoughtful, and genuine. Always remembering. A small word of encouragement here and there. A hug. Seeing beyond 400 days. A card, an e-mail, a picture, a package, a phone call, a comment. Yesterday. Giving me that, so much needed lift. A lift every deployed person in the military needs. What you have done for me is far greater than what I deserve, but in the same breath, I shout, “THANK YOU”! Thank all of you, for having a hand in the process, a role as vital as any, helping us defend our freedoms and giving others a chance at it. Without you, it would be impossible.
Not one to let an opportunity pass by without injecting some humor, I close with 4 comments:
1) WAHS Staff – we will work on the salute when I return (Cody, are you OK?)
2) Yes I do want to hear Mr. Dickhut sing
3) Alright Mrs. Lenz, I see you!
and last but not least
4) How long has Matt C. & Cory N. been on the payroll? Or are they just subbing?
Seriously though, the video comment was awesome! Good seeing you all again. All the comments, awesome. They will keep me smiling for the duration!
Some of you may get this, some may not. Least I have you thinking!
GroundHogDay
Let me clarify #5 from yesterday’s post. It does deserve an explanation.
Pictures are a very touchy subject anywhere in a combat zone. While it is acceptable to take them, you have to be careful of what you take them of. Anything that could be comprimising Operation Security (OPSEC), is a no go. There is a lot of ”grey” area in this statement. You could argue that the pictures of any vehicle could violate OPSEC. Yet, there are pictures out there on the internet. So I have been particularly careful in any of the pictures I post, not to comprimise anything; still, there may have been some borderline items.
What I failed to mention about the “jackal” picture was, the darn animal sat right underneath the guard tower at the airport. Heck of a spot to take up residence. So included in the picture was a portion of the guard tower, which clearly was OPSEC violation. Now here is where my “why” comes into play. Why is that? Well, I guess it pinpoints a location of personnel and gives the viewer a clear indication of the makeup of the structure. Could that be used by the opposition to gain an advantage? Maybe, but it appears to be a stretch. When there is a stretch, again for me, it creates confusion. Black and white here. While it still isn’t absolutely clear to me, it is one of those things that it is best to leave alone. Don’t spend too much time thinking about it. Move on.
Hope you are all doing well, I here the weather back there rivals Kuwait!
It all started on a midnight run Friday. Let me enumerate this for fear of taking up too much space!
